More of your salutes to veterans

Sunday

On Veterans Day we pay tribute to the brave men and women that serve in our military. We thank our readers for sharing stories about their favorite veterans with us.

George H. McKinnon, U.S. Navy

Gloucester, Mass.

Lt. Commander George McKinnon served in the U.S. Navy from 1942-1968 during World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He was an amazing man who loved his country and his family. He sacrificed decades of his life for the greater good and in the end, shared that war is family men fighting family men. His physical presence is missed but his experience and wisdom still guides us.

Robert Hall Jr., Army National Guard

Ashland and Brewster, Mass.

Sgt. Robert (Buddy) Hall proudly served our country in the Army National Guard for 19 years, completing two tours of duty in Iraq. While overseas, serving in Iraq, he and a fellow serviceman designed and built a specialized antenna mount for armored vehicles. Stateside and now retired from the military, he’s a loving dad, husband, son, and son-in-law. We’re so proud of you!

Otis B. Merrithew (AKA William B. Bunting), U.S. Army

Brookline, Mass.

World War I veteran Otis Merrithew lied about his name when he enlisted in the U.S. Army in October 1917 because he didn't want his mother to find out he was going to war. A year later, he was fighting in the Argonne Forest in France. During that battle, his platoon captured a number of German machine gun nests. There were 17 of them but when a movie was made about it, it told how Sgt. Alvin York "single-handedly" took more than 100 German prisoners. I think of Cpl. Merrithew at least twice a day when I walk or drive past his "memorial square" at the corner of Whitney and Meadowbrook Roads. http://www.the-othersixteen.org/theother16/cplotisbmerrithew.html

Orry Panaggio, U.S. Army

Newton, Mass.

Orry Panaggio served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, from 1966-1968. My dad served our country as a Combat Medic Corpsman. He helped many wounded soldiers come home from Vietnam.

Christos Zamakis, U.S. Army

Danvers, Mass.

Sgt. Christos Zamakis served in the U.S. Army Reserves for nine years with deployments for Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operaton Enduring Freedom I and Operation Enduring Freedom II. Christos is a first generation American who grew up in Peabody ma. He joined the reserves in 2001 and deployed to Iraq from March 2003-August 2004 with the 94th Military Police Company out of Derry, NH. After returning home he reenlisted and continued his service until January 2010. Today, he works as a sergeant for the Peabody Police Department where he has been a full time officer since 2008. He resides in Danvers with his wife and three children.

John V. Murphy, U.S. Army Air Corps

Framingham, Mass.

Staff Sgt. John V. Murphy – known as Uncle Bud Murphy – served in the Army Air Corps for four years during World War II. He worked as a radioman/navigator in the Pacific and reached the rank as Staff Sergeant. Murphy flew on a B-29, island hopping in the Pacific. He was involved in six empire strikes, and spent six months in occupied Japan at end of war. A Framingham native, Murphy retired to Eastham on Cape Cod where he passed away in 2008.

John Alan Foster, U.S. Navy

Sudbury, Mass.

Petty officer John Alan Foster served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War from 1968-1972. During his service, Foster worked at a Naval Air Rework Facility where he flight-tested planes and helicopters.

Luigi (Louis) J. D'Agresto, U.S. Army

East Boston, Mass.

Cpl. Louis D’Agresto served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the European Theater of operations from 1943-1945. He was trained as a small arms weapons mechanic. For his distinguished service he received the Good Conduct Medal; American Theater Campaign Ribbon; Victory Medal and the European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon. He was in Belgium at the time the German's attacked in the Battle of the Bulge. One note taken from letters written home: " We had General Eisenhower down and for a small group he gave a lovely speech...His one important point was; he didn't want to leave any of his boys behind on European soil."

Michele G. Lombardo, U.S. Army

Concord, Mass.

World War II veteran Michele Lombard served in the U.S. Army infantry from 1939-1945.

Lombard was born on May 18, 1919 and served with distinction in Company H of the 182nd Infantry Regiment of the 26th Division from Concord. He toured New Caledonia, Guadalcanal, North Africa and Italy during World War II, participating in the liberation of Rome. He passed away peacefully on Sept. 17, 2015.

David J. Occhialini, U.S. Army, Special Forces

Holden, Mass.

Lt. Col. David Occhialini served in the U.S. Army for 26 years. Drafted in 1968, Occhialini did a tour of duty in Vietnam from 1970 to 1971. During his years of service he earned three Bronze Stars (two with V device) three Purple Hearts, the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal and Army Commendation Medal. A member of the Army Special Forces, Occhialini was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1991. He retired in 1994 and currently lives with his family in Florida.

Bruce Robert Mendelsohn, U.S. Army

Millbury, Mass.

After being commissioned in 1990 as a Second Lieutenant, Bruce served in Korea during the First Gulf War as a Platoon Leader and NBC (Nuclear, Biological Chemical) warfare officer with the 2nd Infantry Division. After the war he redeployed with the 1st Armored Division to Ansbach, Germany through April 1993, when he received an Honorable Discharge. Among his awards include Airborne Qualification, Army Commendation Medal, two overseas service ribbons, and the Persian Gulf Service Medal.

Steven John Pfister, Jr., U.S. Marine Corps

Alexandria, Virginia

Lance Cpl. Steven Pfister of Alexandria served a four-year tour of duty for the United States Marine Corps as an infantry machine gunner for the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines regiment, including two combat deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2006-2010. Upon completion, he moved to Boston, and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Suffolk University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Legal Studies. Following graduation, Steven accepted a full-time position at the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office where he still works today, and currently resides on the South Shore with his wife and son.

Marshall John LaForet, U.S. Navy

Waltham, Mass.

Born and raised in Waltham, Mass., Marshall LaForet was an Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class in the Navy during World War II. On May 6, 1942, while serving in the Philippines, LaForet, 17, was captured by the Japanese and imprisoned along with 4,133 other American prisoners of war at the Osaka Main Camp Chikko near Osaka Japan. LaForet, who was one of the POWs on the Bataan Death March, was held for 1,215 days (3 years and 5 months) one of the longest duration of captivity recorded. LaForet is the only POW born in Waltham. When he came home from the service LaForet finished his education and became a history professor at Boston College and Brandies University. He was also named in a book at the time for Who's Who in America for his great achievements. LaForet died at 40, from the severe injuries he received as a POW.

Wilmon Blackmar, Union Army

Hingham, Mass.

Hingham’s first Congressional Medal of Honor winner, Wilmon Blackmar volunteered for the Union Army as a young student at Phillips Andover Academy. Four years later, he was present as a staffer at Lee’s surrender to Grant. During his Civil War service, Blackmar received a battlefield promotion to Captain from General George Custer for his notable act of bravery in leading a charge against the enemy.

Blackmar later attended Harvard Law School, became a successful attorney, married the daughter of John Brewer, and for many years lived at and ran World’s End Farm in Hingham. It is to him that we owe its preservation as open space. Blackmar became active in the national veterans' group, the Grand Army of the Republic, and died in office in 1905 as its national commander. With no children of his own, Blackmar left his fortune to his namesake nephew, Wilmon Brewer, who used it to benefit the Town of Hingham in many other ways.

Daniel Bottego, Army National Guard

Littleton, Mass.

Staff Sgt. Daniel Bottego has served in the Army National Guard since 2000. He has served three tours of duty, two in Iraq and one in Kuwait.

Michael Bock, U.S. Navy

Sutton, Mass.

Lt. Michael Bock has served as a reservist in the U.S. Navy for the past seven years and is currently deployed in Eastern Africa for Operation Enduring Freedom HOA. His unit is based out of Gulfport, Miss. and is a Seabee in a Mobile Construction Unit.

Arthur Saucier, U.S. Army

West Yarmouth, Mass.

Sgt. Arthur Saucier served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Still working part time at the age of 85, Saucier is a very humble, brave and strong man. He survived the Battle of Pork Chop Hill, not to mention Pancreatic cancer, and carried many of his wounded fellow soldiers to safety during that bloody battle.

Louis Rassiga, U.S. Army

Canaan, Conn.

Louis Rassiga was a paratrooper in the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne division during World War II in the European Theatre in Anzio, Italy. Rassiga enlisted in the Army at age 17. He dropped into the Battle of Anzio, where he was shot and received the Purple Heart.

Gary C. Wilson, U.S. Army

Littleton, Mass.

Gary Wilson served as a staff sergeant in the Military Intelligence Corps on active duty from 1990-2003 and in the Army Reserves until 2016. Gary graduated from Littleton High School in 1985. Following his military service, Gary returned to Littleton with his wife, Jody and three children. Michael, Drew and Kaitlyn. After serving our country for a number of years, Gary immediately began to serve our community as a member of the Board of the Littleton Youth Baseball and Softball, a baseball coach and he currently serves as vice-chairman of Littleton's Finance Committee and is a member of the Littleton Personnel Board. He is also a member of the American Legion and serves as a liaison to Littleton VFW Post 6556.

William J. Keith, U.S. Navy

Marshfield, Mass

My dad, William Keith is a 95-year-old World War II Navy veteran, who was serving in Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. He was a 19-year-old corpsman assigned to the USS West Virginia, which was heavily torpedoed during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Many sailors didn't make it out, but Dad did.

Paul Keith, U.S. Army

Steven Keith, U.S. Marine Corps

Marshfield, Mass.

Brothers Paul Keith and Steven Keith are both Vietnam veterans, who served at the same time -- Paul in the Army, Steven in the Marine Corps. They are the sons of Pearl Harbor veteran, William Keith.

Julian Joseph Bishop, Sr., U.S. Army

Belmont, Mass.

My dad, World War II veteran Julian Bishop, Sr. passed away in 1989 at the age of 71. He never spoke of his time at war, but this past year, my brother-in-law decided to look into our dad’s past military record and discovered that he's being posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor among other medals. All eight siblings and our extended family are gathering April 7, 2018 on what would have been our dad’s 100th birthday. It will be big day for the Bishop family and we are so proud of our dad!

Frank J. Dunlevy, U.S. Army

Malden, Mass.

Sgt. Frank Dunlevy served in the army during World War II at Normandy. Dunlevy was just 21 when he was involved in engagements at Omaha Beach, Normandy/Northern France, Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge), Central Europe and the Rhineland.

Benvie family, U.S. Army, Navy and Marine Corps

Holbrook, Mass.

I would like to brag about my family of veterans, all with Holbrook ties. My maternal grandfather, Michael Keating, lived on Weston Avenue and served in the Army during WWI. His three sons grew up on Weston Avenue attended Holbrook Schools and all served in the military — Frank and Danny were in the Navy during WWII and are on the Holbrook Honor Roll, and Johnny served in the Army after the war ended.

My mom, Alice Keating Benvie served as an Army Cadet Nurse. My dad, Purvis grew up on Weymouth Street with his seven siblings and all attended Holbrook Schools. He was a Marine at Iwo Jima, and his brothers, Gordan (Army), Alexander (Army), and Paul (Navy) all served during WWII and are also on the Honor Roll. His brothers Eddie (Army) and Peter (Marines) served during the Korean War. His sisters’ husbands also served in the military. Anna's husband, Eddie Anderson (Army) was wounded at the Battle of the Bulge, and Irene's husband, Hank Cummings served in the Merchant Marines during WWII. Hank and Irene lived on Plymouth Street with their seven kids, who all attended Holbrook Schools. The three sons all served: Tim (Army) served in Vietnam, Dan (Army) in Germany, and Don in the Marine Corps.

My mom and dad bought a house on S. Franklin Street and raised their eight kids, who all attended Holbrook schools. The oldest, Terri, married John Derome, a Navy Seabee from the Fairfield development. My other sister, Sandi married Al White, a Navy Seabee, who served in Vietnam and bought a house on West Street. Their youngest son, Mike served one deployment recently with the Army. My brother, Dave served in the Marine Corps and my brother, Brian was in the Army and Army Reserves and was deployed four times in our recent conflict. Brian just retired as a Command Sergeant Major. He has eight kids himself, and his four sons served in the military, three deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.

After my dad passed away, my mom married Don Matheson, who served in the Navy during WWII. He lived on Mt. Pleasant Street. I served 26 years in the Army and Army Reserves. My wife, Ruth Hayes Benvie also served in the Army —I had to salute her! She grew up on Hillsdale Road. Her dad, Timothy Hayes (Army) is a Korean War veteran. That's 29 veterans in my extended family — 25 of them with Holbrook ties!

James H. Crowell, U.S. Air Force

Plymouth, Mass.

My uncle, World War II veteran James Crowell is 92 years old and was born and raised in Manomet. He served in World War II as a waist gunner. His plane was shot down over Poland during the war and the crew was able to safely parachute to the ground. They then had to escape to friendly territory.

Mary Eleanor Driscoll Kelley, U.S. Navy

Marblehead, Mass.

Mary Eleanor Driscoll Kelley left home just after turning 18 to serve as a WAVE the U.S. Navy. She wanted to leave her small town and see the world. During the Korean War era, 1953-1956, she worked in several roles at Pensacola Naval Air Station as well at the Pentagon. She recalled her time in the Navy as "Really the best years of my life."

Daniel J Kenney, U.S. Air Force

Belmont, Mass.

Col. Daniel Kenney was a distinguished World War II Air Force fighter pilot. He flew over 75 combat missions in the famous P47 Thunderbolt with the 412th Fighter Squadron, 9th Air Force. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Army Commendation Medal and 15 Air Medals, along with numerous French and Belgian decorations. He also received five Battle Stars for campaigns in the European Theater of Operations and continued his service in the Air Force Reserve. Mr. Kenney was a Past Commander of the VFW Post #1272 in Belmont. He was active in the town of Belmont, serving as chairman of the Belmont Housing Authority, chairman of the Board of Assessors, chairman of the Republican Town Committee and was an active Town Meeting member. Mr. Kenney also coached Belmont Youth Baseball. A graduate of Belmont High School and Boston College Law School, Mr. Kenney practiced law from his office in Boston until his retirement to his home in South Dennis. He grew up in Belmont and raised his children there. He was my grandpa. I remember watching him march in parades in Belmont as a young child and he loved to be called " The Colonel."

David B Christie, U.S. Army

Woburn, Mass

David Christie, a private in the U.S. Army during World War I, died in France on July 23, 1918. Christie participated in defensive engagements in Champagne-Marne, offensive engagements at Aisne-Marne and defense sectors at Chemin-des-Dames (Ile-de-France), Toul-Boucq (Lorraine) and Pas Fini (Ilde-France).

Charles Joseph Benoit, U.S. Army

North Attleboro, Mass.

World War II veteran Charles Benoit was a staff sergeant in the Army from 1943-1945. A lifelong resident of North Attleboro, Benoit was well known and well liked in the community. He passed away too young, at the age of 54.

Edward Hand, U.S. Army

Groton, Virginia

1st Sgt. Edward Hand served in the Army from 1984-2009 in Somalia and during the Iraq War. Ed is an amazing husband and father to three young children. He was born into an Army family and then served in the Army for 25 years. He worked in the Petroleum field and as a result travelled extensively. He lived overseas in Germany, Italy, Korea, and England and truly enjoyed this aspect of military life. His favorite place to visit is Garmisch, Germany and if he every goes missing that is the very first place I will look for him. The second place is whereever his best friend, Col. Rick Harger happens to be living. There he will be enjoying a cigar and a glass of Dalwhinnie. Happy Veterans Day and Happy Birthday to 1st Sgt. Edward Hand.

Edward T. "Ned" Egan, U.S. Marine Corps

Marshfield, Mass.

Vietnam veteran Pfc. Edward “Ned” Egan was 19 when he joined the Marines. On April 21, 1967, most of the company set out on a daylight patrol that took them into the village of Binh Son. As the Marines approached across the rice paddies they were ambushed by a dug-in Vietcong Main Force battalion that enjoyed a clear line of fire across level land with little cover ... Fox 2/1 had run into a hornet's nest. Fourteen Marines were killed, including Edward "Ned" Egan, and 18 others wounded early in the fight, which continued until other elements of the 1st Marines and the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, arrived and flanked the VC from their fortifications. Ned Egan made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Forever loved, dearly missed and never forgotten.

Charles A. Bazzinotti, U.S. Army

Dorchester, Mass.

1st Lt. Charles Bazzinotti served in the U.S. Army from 1968-1970. Bazzinotti was going home for one week to see family before going to Vietnam. He got a chance to do paratrooper training and didn’t return. He died in a helicopter accident #68-15837 with four others. Twenty-five others were injured but lived through the crash. He was a great man and from a great family.

Francis J. Ryan, U.S. Navy

Cambridge, Mass.

Francis Ryan served in the U.S. Navy during World War I aboard the Battleship Virginia where he was an ammunition loader and musician. He was commissioned after attending Officer Candidate School at Annapolis, Maryland.

Paul J. Ryan, U.S. Navy

Cambridge, Mass.

Paul Ryan, the son of World War I veteran Francis Ryan, served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War on the Battleship Iowa and was part of the landing at Inchon and Chosin Reservoir for the evacuation of U.S. Marines.

Donald F. Ryan, U.S. Army

Cambridge, Mass.

Donald Ryan, the son of World War I veteran Francis Ryan, enlisted in the U.S. Army on his 17th birthday in October 1946 – forgoing his senior year of High School. He served in the Army Corp of Military Police from 1946-1948 and as a reserve officer in the U.S. Air Force.

Philip J. Ryan, U.S. Marine Corps

Cambridge, Mass.

Philip Ryan, the son of World War I veteran Francis Ryan, served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Lt. Col. Ryan was a member of the Staff, Commanding General U.S. Marines – Vietnam.

Justin M. Ryan, U.S. Marine Corps

Cambridge, Mass.

Marine Corps veteran Justin Ryan, the son of World War I veteran, Francis Ryan, served in combat during the Vietnam War rising to the rank of Captain. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Capt. Ryan was decorated by both the U.S. and Vietnamese governments during his service.

Kerry E. Kendall, U.S. Army

Southborough, Mass.

Capt. Kerry Kendall has served in the U.S. Army for five years. After serving in the ROTC at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and numerous training posts, Kerry Kendall attached to the 5th Special Forces Group as a member of the first all female Cultural Support Team. According to U.S. Special Operations Command, the female team members accompanied male special operators so that female Afghanis could be provided with health care and check ups for children. Kendall served 11 months in a high contact combat zone at Firebase TYCZ in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Wesley R. Smith, U.S. Navy

Westborough, Mass.

Chief Petty Officer Wesley Smith served in the U.S. Navy for 22 years and loved serving his country.

Michael Doherty and Stephen Doherty, U.S Marine Corps

Weymouth, Mass.

Lance Cpl. Michael Doherty and Lance Cpl. Stephen Doherty both served for six years in the U.S. Marine Corps. Michael served in Iraq and is currently a Weymouth firefighter. Stephen served during peacetime and is retired.

Frank Daley, M.D. and Helen Eberhart Daley, U.S. Army

Cinnamon Lake, Ohio

Army Dr. Frank Daley and Army nurse, Helen Eberhart Daley, met in training, married, and served in different countries on the European front during World War II. Helen served in England and France; Frank in Alsace-Lorraine and with a mobile unit into Germany. They left me over 600 letters they wrote each other during their service.

J. Philip Gutting, U.S. Navy

Shelbyville, IN

Capt. J. Philip Gutting served in the Navy for 30 years during World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He was enormously competent, always quick witted and full of humor to the end. He taught us to always be thorough and focused on tasks regardless of what others around us were doing, and to find some fun every day especially on difficult days. After he died I heard from several of his shipmates about their time serving on ships he captained often saying those were their proudest and most enjoyable days in the Navy.

Paul Cane, U.S. Navy

Waltham, Mass.

Chief Petty Officer Paul Cane enlisted in the Navy during World War II after dropping out of Waltham High so he could help support his family. He served in the Pacific and participated in the Battle of the Coral Sea on the U.S.S Fletcher. His three brothers (Gus, Buzz, and Neil) also served.

Thomas J. McKinnon Jr., U.S. Army

Salem, Mass.

My dad, Thomas McKinnon, served in the U.S. Army in the 14th Engineer Battalion during the Vietnam War from 1970-1971 and received the Commendation Medal and was awarded the Purple Heart. My dad, who is also known as Lardy to his friends has been married to my mom, Elizabeth, for 44 years. They have 3 children, 8 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. A wonderful story that played out this summer was my dad always talked about his crazy buddy Eugene Sizemore, who he served with in Vietnam. Sizemore was from Hazard, Kentucky and after leaving the service my father lost touch with him. He tried to find him a few times but had no luck. After always hearing his name I decided to find him and with the power of Internet, friends and a few phone calls we got them in touch through a P.O. Box # he had from 40 years ago. It was very emotional the day they got to speak on the phone. I will never understand the bond these young guys shared through such a difficult time and I thank them and all the other veterans for their service.

Peter O'Connor, U.S. Navy

Queens, New York

My father, Peter O’Connor served in the U.S Navy from 1958-1978. He served as a "Seabee" in the Navy's Civil Engineer Corps. He was in Hue when the Tet Offensive started in Vietnam. After retiring in 1978, he moved the family to Cohasset, the most beautiful of seaside towns.

Neil Crowley, Sr., U.S. Air Force

Billerica, Mass.

Master Sgt. Neil Crowley served in the U.S. Air Force on active duty for four years and 29 years in the reserves. As a reservist, Crowley was called up to serve during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He worked as a postal carrier in his hometown of Billerica for 25 years before retiring in 1989.

Norris L. Bull Jr., U.S. Navy

Marblehead, Mass.

LTJG Norris Bull Jr. served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. While on shore leave in Marblehead, he met my mom. They were married for 67 years!

David F. Daniels, Jr., U.S. Army

Billerica, Mass.

Staff Sgt. David Daniels served in the Army from 2004-2012. David is a BMHS graduate and the oldest of our three sons. He served with the 82nd ABN, 4-73rd Cavalry and did two, year-long tours in Afghanistan. He was also a paratrooper and was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC. He is married to Tammy and has two teenage children, Steven and Kaitlyn. They currently reside in Sanford, North Carolina.

Richard F. Hudson, U.S. Marine Corps

Ipswich, Mass.

Richard Hudson, served in the U.S Marine Corps during the 1950s. My father was born and raised in Ipswich. During his military service, he was a helicopter mechanic with the U.S. Marines HMRL 261. He worked for Arco delivering gasoline, was a part time police officer for Danvers and a member of The Blue Knights Topsfield/Danvers. He has three sons - Eric, Mark and Michael.

PFC Joseph C. Lazaro Jr., U.S. Army

Waltham, Mass.

Pfc. Joseph Lazaro served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the European, African and Middle Eastern theatres Joseph served with the Army's 109th Combat Engineers, 34th Red Bull Division. He was injured and totally blinded while on patrol in Po Valley, Italy when their jeep ran over a land mine. He spent 18 months in the hospital recovering from his wounds. For his service he received a Purple Heart and four Bronze Battle Stars. He also received a Ruptured Duck Honorable Discharge.

Jeffrey Lezama, U.S. Marine Corps

Randolph, Mass.

Jeffrey Lezama served in the U.S Marine Corps during operations Assured Response in Liberia and Restore Hope in Somalia. Jeffrey is an extremely hardworking father of three. He is loyal, honest, dependable, trustworthy and always there when you need him. We would be lost without him.

George W. Belezos, U.S. Army

Gloucester, Mass.

Drafted in 1943 with a dozen other Gloucester men, George W. Belezos served as a small arms technician for the 299th Ordinance Maintenance Unit in General George Patton Jr.'s third army. During his years of service between 1943-1945, Belezos served in France and Germany. Although his journey was tough, and he suffered a severe leg injury as well as being buried alive at one point, Belezos made it through as a proud serviceman with a great sense of achievement. His medals include the Purple Heart, five battle stars (Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes, Central Europe), Good Conduct Medal and Legion of Honor. Following his discharge from the United States Army, Belezos continued to serve others; he worked as a reserve patrolman for the Gloucester Police Department then joined the Fire Department where he dedicated 30 years until he retired as Deputy Chief at the age of 62.

James Mahon, U.S Army

John Mahon, U.S. Navy

Richard Mahon, U.S. Army

Thomas J. Mahon, U.S. Army

Arlington, Mass.

James Mahon served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War era. He is my late brother and one of my favorite veterans. My brother, John Mahon served in the U.S. Navy also during the Korean War. My late brother, Richard Mahon served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict. My brother, Thomas J. Mahon served in the U.S. Army in the mid-1950s. All of my favorite veterans were graduates of Arlington High School.